Patriots add cornerback depth, sign veteran CB Tarell Brown

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 29: Tarell Brown #25 and Donte Whitner #31 of the San Francisco 49ers tackle Michael Floyd #15 of the Arizona Cardinals during the game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 29, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 23-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tarell Brown;Donte Whitner;Michael Floyd

The New England Patriots are defending Super Bowl champions, but several players from last season's championship team have since departed. Most notably, cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are no longer with New England, leaving two glaring holes at cornerback.

The Patriots addressed the cornerback position in a small way on Thursday, signing veteran corner Tarell Brown, according to Adam Schefter.

Brown has spent eight seasons in the league, all of which with the San Francisco 49ers except in 2014 when he played 14 games for the Oakland Raiders. He's a durable cornerback, playing in at least 13 games every season other than his rookie year in 2007.

He adds depth to the Patriots' roster, which desperately needed it. Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler is slated to be one of the starting corners, with Bradley Fletcher and Logan Ryan battling for a spot, as well. The terms of Brown's contract have not yet been announced, but it's likely a short-term deal.